Ground Cumin

General Information

The cumin plant is an ancient plant, historically grown and used in Egypt and the Middle East. The cumin plant in the family Apiaceae is native to the Irano-Turanian Region and usually grows between 30 to 50 cm tall and has a green stem and white or pink flowers. Its seeds have an oblong shape and are yellow-brown. Based on shading, amount of oil, and flavour, cumin seeds are categorised into three main sorts of Iranian, Indian and South Asian, and Middle Eastern. Today, cumin is mainly cultivated in India, Northern Africa, Mexico, Chile, and China.
In manufacturing, cumin oil is used in the cosmetic industry, especially skincare products.

Delicious Ways to Use Ground Cumin

Ground Cumin has a warm, earthy, spicy, peppery flavour. It is very popular when mixed with other herbs and spices such as turmeric, thyme, cinnamon, red pepper, and oregano. Ground Cumin is widely used in Latin American, Middle Eastern, North African, and Indian cuisines. You can even add it to many everyday dishes such as soups, stews, meats and vegetables.
It is important to know that cumin’s flavour can easily overtake a dish; therefore, it is best to be conservative while cooking, and you can always add a bit more if needed.
Serving and Portion size
Cumin is generally considered safe when taken in food amounts; however, rare allergic reaction cases to cumin are reported in some people.

Storage

Ground cumin should be kept in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, in an airtight container that does not allow moisture. This way, ground cumin can be stored for up to 6 months without losing its quality. You can store ground cumin in the refrigerator, which will keep it fresh for a longer period. Keep in mind that spices stored longer than 6 months tend to lose a bit of their original flavour over time.